For the autumn fairs in Hong Kong and Idar-Oberstein, Constantin Wild expects growing interest in classical coloured gemstones.

That interest, says the merchant from Idar-Oberstein, will be aimed at both colours and cuts.

He gives three reasons. Firstly, this is a perfectly normal counter-trend to the stones of recent years, some of which were very extravagant; secondly, in times of crisis people generally favour more restrained behaviour; and thirdly, – another reaction to the uncertain economic situation – the enduring intrinsic value of gemstones is becoming more important.

In the last few years, all the major fairs have revealed increasing demand for very-high-quality coloured gemstones which are outstandingly beautiful, unusual and extremely rare.

Wild expects increasing demand not only for green (an ongoing favourite worldwide) – for example beryls, peridots, demantoids and tourmalines – but also for blue and yellow sapphires. The colour red in all its nuances – spinels, fire opals, red tourmalines – will also attract more interest: “Red has a special role to play: it’s classical and refined – but conspicuous”, says Wild.

In his sets too, Wild is backing classicalism – with a hint of extravagance: a tanzanite and an aquamarine, the same size, with the same cut and corresponding colours. The two stones, emerald-cut at 22 x 19 millimetres, show off the colour blue at its most beautiful. The tanzanite shines in blue and violet, while the aquamarine radiates azure blue – “an extravagant combination for a lover of classical stones”, says Wild. The Tanzanian tanzanite weighs 43.76 carats; the aquamarine from Katur in India is lighter, at 38.29 carats.

The imperial topaz too is among the most important classical stones. But Wild issues the following caution: “At the moment the sparkling imperial topaz is en vogue. But only the finest specimens in lush orange-red will fetch high prices in the long term.”

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